August 11, 2004, The Philippine Star, Pichay hits '9/11' report tagging RP as terror haven,

August 11, 2004, The Philippine Star, Pichay hits '9/11' report tagging RP as terror haven,

A ranking administration lawmaker criticized a recent US report tagging the Philippines as a terrorist haven, saying it apparently overlooked the sustained efforts of the government against global and local terror groups. 

In a statement, Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay said the US commission that prepared the report should make an apology for its "erroneous" data which had put the country in a bad light. 

Instead of classifying the country as a terrorist haven, the US should instead credit the Philippines for sharing vital information that could have thwarted the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. 

He said local authorities led by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in particular, even thwarted a plot to assassinate Pope John Paul II during his visit in the country in 1995. 

"Our law enforcers warned the US about the (Sept. 11) attacks based on the information gathered from captured suspects," Pichay pointed out. 

Pichay, former chairman of the House committee on defense, said the US commission should have been reminded of the major intelligence breakthrough made by the Philippine government in the global campaign against terrorism. 

He said the US should also note the gains made by Manila in terms of regional security when it concluded a peace pact with the secessionist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) guerrillas in 1995 as well as the peace initiatives to the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). 

Pichay said the Philippine government has not let down its guard against terrorism since it constantly monitors activities of the al-Qaeda linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants in the Southeast Asian region. 

"The Arroyo government has successfully neutralized JI operative Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi in Sulu and arrested wanted terrorist Taufiq Rafqui," Pichay said. 

"This shows our efficiency and activeness in the global fight against terror," he added.